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  • - A radical idea to get a high-renewable electric grid

    This is an interesting approach to optaining very high penetration of renewables such as photovoltaics and wind.  At present most large installations operate under Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) wherein the economics are based on a sell all output at predetermined prices. This contrasts with standalone systems wherein the system size Read More
  • - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification

    - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Battery Storage Costs Drop Dramatically, Making Way to a New Era. A recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) report continues to confirm that clean electrification through batteries is advancing at impressive rates. Very interesting report: Breakthrough Batteries- Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Read More
  • - Interesting Technology

    An assortment of links to interesting information   Semiconductor Nanowires Could Double the Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells A p/n semiconductor junction is not the only way of converting sunshine into useful electrical energy.  Light consists of a flow of photons of various energy levels (colors).  See this article-Solar Cells.  Nanowires Read More
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Interesting Videos

tep 2019 logoBack in January 2015 Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) and UniSource Energy Services (UES) set up a Voluntary Solar Contribution Program (VSCP) that directed contributions to a fund managed by the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF). The program was to be used to install solar photovoltaic systems on newly built residential single-family homes constructed by the Arizona chapters of Habitat for Humanity International ("Habitat") on Habitat homes for TEP customers. This was part of the approved TEP 2014 Renewable Energy Standard Implementation Plan and related Distributed Energy Administrative Plan.

Good intentions, but it never worked out.  In spite of a lot of publicity at the time (search "VOLUNTARY SOLAR CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM"), and an initial donation of $25,000 by TEP, Additionally, as shown by the most recent VSCP Report filed on September 28, 2018, no contributions have been made by another company or any member of the general public. The fund balance initially contributed by TEP and UNSE, now $24,684.91, is from its shareholders, not ratepayers. The total annual administrative costs were $500 in 2017 to maintain an online donation page on ACF's website and will be $750 in 2018. The fees are deducted monthly from the fund balance.

According to a docket filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission remaining accumulated funds should be donated to Habitat.  No solar photovoltaic systems were installed.

About

  • Welcome to the Arizona Solar Center

     This is your source for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona. Explore various technologies, including photovoltaics, solar water heating, solar architecture, solar cooking and wind power. Keep up to date on the latest industry news. Follow relevant lectures, expositions and tours. Whether you are a homeowner looking to become more energy efficient, a student learning the science behind the technologies or an industry professional, you will find valuable information here.
  • About The Arizona Solar Center

    About The Arizona Solar Center Arizona Solar Center Mission- The mission of the Arizona Solar Center is to enhance the utilization of renewable energy, educate Arizona's residents on solar technology developments, support commerce and industry in the development of solar and other sustainable technologies and coordinate these efforts throughout the state of Arizona. About the Arizona Solar Center- The Arizona Solar Center (AzSC) provides a broad-based understanding of solar energy, especially as it pertains to Arizona. Registered Read More
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